Convertible emergency device

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a convertible emergency device that includes a waist pack that includes an interior portion with a first zipper is disposed on the front side of the interior portion, a pair of straps each that extend from the interior portion that wrap and secure the convertible emergency device around a user&#39;s waist and a pair of snaps that fasten the pair of straps around the user. The device also includes a backpack portion with a front that includes an inflatable life boat with two sides, a pair of oars disposed on the sides of the inflatable life boat and a second zipper disposed on the front portion of the backpack portion that is opened to access a second pull cord to inflate the inflatable life boat. There is also a pair of straps and snaps to attach the emergency device to a user&#39;s vest and inflatable boat.

TECHNICAL FIELD & BACKGROUND

Currently there are limited options for compact protective supplies. Anindividual never knows when an emergency may occur and more than oftenindividuals are left without essential tools to ensure their possiblesurvival and well-being during an emergency.

The present invention generally relates to an emergency device. Morespecifically, the invention is a convertible emergency device.

It is an object of the invention to provide an emergency device thatincludes a waist pack that converts into a floatable waist pack.

It is an object of the invention to provide an emergency device thatincludes a backpack that converts into a floatable raft and oars.

What is really needed is an emergency device that includes a waist packthat converts into a floatable waist pack and a backpack that convertsinto a floatable raft and oars.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be described by way of exemplary embodiments,but not limitations, illustrated in the accompanying drawings in whichlike references denote similar elements, and in which:

FIG. 1A illustrates a front view of a waist pack of a convertibleemergency device, in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 1B illustrates a front view of an inflated life vest from aconvertible emergency device, in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 1C illustrates a side view of a backpack of a convertible emergencydevice, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1D illustrates a side perspective view of an inflated life boatfrom a convertible emergency device, in accordance with one embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 1E illustrates a top view of a flexible top of an inflated lifevest from a convertible emergency device in a rolled-up position and anunrolled position, in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Various aspects of the illustrative embodiments will be described usingterms commonly employed by those skilled in the art to convey thesubstance of their work to others skilled in the art. However, it willbe apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention maybe practiced with only some of the described aspects. For purposes ofexplanation, specific numbers, materials and configurations are setforth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the illustrativeembodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art thatthe present invention may be practiced without the specific details. Inother instances, well-known features are omitted or simplified in ordernot to obscure the illustrative embodiments.

Various operations will be described as multiple discrete operations, inturn, in a manner that is most helpful in understanding the presentinvention. However, the order of description should not be construed asto imply that these operations are necessarily order dependent. Inparticular, these operations need not be performed in the order ofpresentation.

FIG. 1A illustrates a front view of a waist pack 110 of a convertibleemergency device 100, in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention.

The convertible emergency device 100 includes a waist pack 110 with aninterior portion 120, a pair of straps 130 and a pair of snaps 140. Theinterior portion 120 has a front side 122 with a zipper 124 disposed onthe front side 122. The zipper 124 is a horizontal zipper 126 or othersuitable zipper that can be opened to access a pull cord 128 to inflatethe interior portion 120 of the waist pack (FIG. 1B, 110) as is furtherdescribed in FIG. 1B. The user can pull the pull cord 126 while beingunderwater and hold on to the inflating waist pack 110 to possibly raisethe user above the water. The pair of straps 130 each has a distal end132 and extend from the interior portion 120 and wrap and secure theconvertible emergency device 100 around a user's waist. The pair ofsnaps 140 is disposed on the distal ends 132 of the pair of straps 130and fastens the pair of straps 130 around the user, although othersuitable fasteners can be utilized to fasten the pair of straps 130around the user. The convertible emergency device 100 and its componentscan be made of nylon, Teflon and rubber material, although theconvertible emergency device can be made of other suitable materials aswell.

FIG. 1B illustrates a front view of an inflated life vest 150 from aconvertible emergency device 100, in accordance with one embodiment ofthe present invention.

The inflated life vest 150 is formed from the waist pack 110 describedin FIG. 1A. The waist pack 110 as previously indicated in the FIG. 1Adescription can be inflated when the pull cord 126 is pulled forming theinflated life vest 150 illustrated in FIG. 1B. The inflated life vest150 includes two sides 152 that can be secured with one or more hook andloop fasteners 154 such as one or more VELCRO™ hook and loop fastenersto secure the inflated waist pack 150 around the upper body of a user.The waist pack 150 also includes an open ring portion 156 that iswrapped around a user's neck. The open ring portion 156 includesreflective indicia 158 such as the word “HELP” or other suitablereflective indicia such as the acronym “SOS” that is disposed on theopen ring portion 156 to possibly indicate to surrounding persons theuser's need for help. The inflated life vest 150 includes a pair ofstraps 153 with a first pair of attachment snaps 151 that secures oneend of the inflated life vest 150 to a user's vest and a second pair ofattachment snaps 155 releasably securing the inflated life vest 150 tothe user's current vest. The pair of straps 153 and are both made ofnylon or other suitable material and the first pair of attachment snaps151 and the second pair of attachment snaps 155 are made of plasticmaterial. The inflated life vest 150 also includes a solar powered GPSdevice 157 and a plurality of solar powered LED lights 159.

FIG. 1C illustrates a side view of a backpack portion 150 of aconvertible emergency device 100, in accordance with one embodiment ofthe present invention. The backpack portion 150 has a front 152 andincludes an inflatable life boat 160, a pair of oars 170 and a zipper180. The backpack portion 150 is attached to and is a component of theconvertible emergency device 100. The inflatable life boat 160 isuninflated and has two sides 162 as illustrated in FIG. 1C in itsuninflated form within the backpack portion 150. Additional detailsregarding an inflated inflatable life boat 160 are illustrated anddescribed in FIG. 1D and its description. The pair of oars 170 aredisposed on the sides 162 of the inflatable life boat 160 and are alsouninflated as illustrated in FIG. 1C in an uninflated form within thebackpack portion 150. The zipper 180 is disposed on the front portion152 of the backpack portion 150. The zipper 180 can be opened to accessa pull cord 182 to inflate the inflatable life boat 160 of the backpackportion 150 as is further described in FIG. 1D. The user can pull thepull cord 182 while being underwater and hold on to the inflatinginflatable life boat 160 to possibly raise the user above the water. Thezipper 180 can be any suitable type of zipper such as a horizontal orvertical zipper. The inflatable life boat 160 includes a pair of straps184 with a first pair of attachment snaps 186 that secures one end ofthe inflatable life boat 160 to a user's vest with a second pair ofattachment snaps 188 releasably securing the inflatable life boat 160 tothe user's current vest. The pair of straps 184 is both made of nylon orother suitable material and the first pair of attachment snaps 186 andthe second pair of attachment snaps 188.

FIG. 1D illustrates a side perspective view of an inflated life boat 160from a convertible emergency device 100, in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention. Previous details regarding theuninflated inflatable life boat 160 were provided in FIG. 1D. Theinflatable life boat 160 has a top perimeter 164 and a bottom 166 andone or more reflective indicia 168 such as the word “SOS” disposed onthe top perimeter 164. Additional reflective indicia 169 such as thewords “NEED RESCUE” can also be disposed on the bottom 166 of theinflatable life boat 160. The inflatable life boat 160 accommodates 1 to4 people when expanded and inflated. The oars 170 have a distal end 172and the oars 170 can be adjusted at a plurality of predetermined lengths174 by depressing a button 176 disposed on the oars 170 to shorten theoars 170 to facilitate storage of the oars 170 and to extend the oars170 to enable one or more user's to place the oars 170 in surroundingwater to row the inflatable life boat 160. The distal ends 172 can alsobe expanded and contracted at a plurality of predetermined widths 178 toform a general fan shape 179, although the distal ends 172 can be othersuitable shapes as well. Typically the distal ends 172 are contractedwhile the oars 170 are stored and expanded when utilized in the water.

FIG. 1E illustrates a top view of a flexible top 180 of an inflated lifevest from a convertible emergency device 100 in a rolled-up position 181and an unrolled position 183, in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention.

The flexible top 180 has a retractable cover 182, a hook and loopfastener 184 and a retractable mechanism 186. The flexible top 180 has adistal end 188 and can be extended and rolled over the top of theinflated life boat 160 that has a distal end 161 and a proximal end 163to cover and protect the inflated life boat 160 from sunlight and UVrays from the sun. The hook and loop fastener 184 is disposed on thedistal end 188 of the retractable cover 180 and secures the retractablecover 180 over the top of the inflated life boat 160 at the distal end161 of the inflated life boat 160. The retractable mechanism 186 isdisposed on the proximal end 163 of the inflated life boat 160 and canretract or roll-up the retractable cover 182 when not in use. Theretractable mechanism 186 can be a spring loaded retractable mechanismor other suitable retractable mechanism.

As is also illustrated in FIG. 1E, the inflatable life boat 160 alsoincludes a solar powered GPS device 192 and a plurality of solar poweredLED lights 194. The solar powered GPS device 192 is disposed on anysuitable area of the inflated life boat 160 and is utilized to track theconvertible emergency device 100 if needed. The solar powered LED lights194 are disposed on any suitable area of the inflated life boat 160 aswell and are utilized to illuminate the inflatable life boat 160.

The convertible emergency device is a relatively fashionable waist andbackpack accessory with inflatable capabilities that transports survivalgear. Made from sturdy nylon, Teflon or rubber materials, theconvertible emergency device includes a waist pack with a zipperprotected inflation pull cord that converts into a waist pack, inaddition to a separate backpack with an activating cord that activatesthe inflation of a lifeboat with a pair of paddling oars. Theconvertible emergency device is typically utilized in a marineenvironment and allows a user to immediately employ life preservingtools in the event of an emergency. The convertible emergency device isdesigned in a plurality of colorful patterns to accommodate a widevariety of personal fashion tastes while serving as a back-uplife-sustaining device for children and adults. The feature of aninflatable waist pack and lifeboat, with reflective HELP/SOS indicia,enables a wearer to feel a sense of confidence and preparedness forlife's uncertainties.

The phrase “in one embodiment” is utilized repeatedly. The phrasegenerally does not refer to the same embodiment, however, it may. Theterms “comprising”, “having” and “including” are synonymous, unless thecontext dictates otherwise.

1. A convertible emergency device, comprising: a discrete waist packthat includes an interior portion, a vest actuator disposed on thesurface of the interior portion, and a pair of straps connected to saidinterior portion and configured to secure said waist pack around auser's waist, wherein said waist pack is configured to be inflatableinto a life vest when the vest actuator is manually actuated; a discretebackpack portion which includes a front portion removably attached to aninflatable life boat and a pair of oars, wherein said front portioncontains a boat actuator which causes the inflatable life boat toinflate when manually actuated; and wherein the inflatable life boatincludes at least one strap configured to secure the inflatable lifeboat to the life vest.
 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein saidlife boat, when inflated, includes a flexible top that includes aretractable cover, a hook and loop fastener and a retractable mechanismto cover and protect said inflatable life boat.
 3. The device accordingto claim 1, wherein: a first zipper is disposed on said front portion ofsaid backpack portion; said first zipper is opened to access said boatactuator to inflate said inflatable life boat; a second zipper isdisposed on said front side of said interior portion; and said secondzipper is opened to access said vest actuator to inflate said interiorportion forming an inflated life vest.
 4. The device according to claim3, wherein said inflated life vest includes two sides that is securedwith one or more hook and loop fasteners.
 5. The device according toclaim 4, wherein the body of said inflated vest is structured to providean open ring portion that is wrapped around said user's neck.
 6. Thedevice according to claim 1, wherein said vest actuator is embodied as afirst pull cord; and said boat actuator is embodied as a second pullcord.
 7. A convertible emergency device, comprising: a discrete waistpack that includes an interior portion with a front side with a firstzipper is disposed on said front side of said interior portion, a pairof straps connected to said interior portion and configured to securesaid waist pack around a user's waist and a vest actuator disposedunderneath said first zipper, wherein said waist pack is configured tobe inflatable into a life vest when the vest actuator is manuallyactuated; a discrete backpack portion which includes a front portionremovably attached to an inflatable life boat and a pair of oars,wherein said front portion includes a second zipper disposed on itssurface and a boat actuator which causes the inflatable life boat toinflate when manually actuated disposed beneath the second zipper;wherein the inflatable life boat includes at least one strap configuredto secure the inflatable life boat to the life vest; and a solar poweredGPS device that is disposed on said inflated life boat and is utilizedto track said convertible emergency device.
 8. The device according toclaim 7, wherein said life boat, when inflated, includes a flexible topthat includes a retractable cover, a hook and loop fastener and aretractable mechanism to cover and protect said inflatable life boat. 9.The device according to claim 7, wherein said first zipper is opened toaccess vest actuator; said life vest, when inflated, includes two sidessecured together with one or more hook and loop fasteners.
 10. Thedevice according to claim 7, wherein said vest actuator is embodied as afirst pull cord; and said boat actuator is embodied as a second pullcord.
 11. The device according to claim 7, wherein the body of saidinflated vest is structured to provide an open ring portion that iswrapped around a user's neck.
 12. The device according to claim 10,wherein pulling said second pull cord while the backpack portion iscauses the inflatable life boat to inflate and increase its buoyancy.13. A convertible emergency device, comprising: a discrete waist packthat includes an interior portion with a front side with a first zipperis disposed on said front side of said interior portion, a pair ofstraps connected to said interior portion and configured to secure saidwaist pack around a user's waist and a vest actuator disposed underneathsaid first zipper, wherein said waist pack is configured to beinflatable into a life vest when the vest actuator is manually actuated;a discrete backpack portion which includes a front portion removablyattached to an inflatable life boat and a pair of oars, wherein saidfront portion includes a second zipper disposed on its surface and aboat actuator which causes the inflatable life boat to inflate whenmanually actuated disposed beneath the second zipper; wherein theinflatable life boat includes at least one strap configured to securethe inflatable life boat to the life vest; a solar powered GPS devicethat is disposed on said inflated life boat and is utilized to tracksaid convertible emergency device; and a plurality of solar powered LEDlights that are disposed on said inflated life boat and are utilized toilluminate said inflatable life boat.
 14. The device according to claim13, wherein said vest actuator is embodied as a first pull cord; andsaid boat actuator is embodied as a second pull cord.
 15. The deviceaccording to claim 14, wherein said first zipper is opened to access thefirst pull cord to allow inflation of said interior portion forming theinflated life vest, wherein said life vest includes two sides that aresecured with one or more hook and loop fasteners; and said second zipperis opened to access the second pull cord.
 16. The device according toclaim 15, wherein said inflated life vest includes a solar powered GPSdevice that is disposed on said inflated life vest and is utilized totrack said convertible emergency device and a plurality of solar poweredLED lights that are disposed on said inflated life vest and are utilizedto illuminate said inflatable life vest.
 17. The device according toclaim 15, wherein the body of said inflated vest is structured toprovide an open ring portion that is wrapped around a user's neck. 18.The device according to claim 14, wherein pulling said first pull cordcauses the life vest to inflate and increase its buoyancy; and pullingsaid second pull cord causes the inflatable life boat to inflate andincrease its buoyancy.
 19. The device according to claim 13, whereinsaid convertible emergency device is constructed substantially of nylon,Teflon or rubber.
 20. The device according to claim 17, wherein saidopen ring portion includes one or more first reflective indicia that isdisposed on said open ring portion and said inflatable life boat has oneor more second reflective indicia disposed on a top perimeter portion ofsaid inflatable life boat has one or more third reflective indiciadisposed on a bottom of said inflatable life boat.